Page 8 of Perfect Liar
I sighed.
“Hi, Josh. Can I grab you another beer?”
He nodded and then grabbed my wrist when I reached for his empty glass.
“Come back to me, Ellie. Give us one more shot. Please.”
Pulling back, I filled a clean glass with his Guinness.
“It’s been months. Nothing has changed for me. I’m sorry.”
“What can I do to change your mind? Just say the word…whatever it is, you know I’ll do it.”
“I know you would.”
Before turning away from him, I offered his beer with a friendly smile. When I glanced up to see if he had moved on, he wasn’t the one I found in the mirror.
Every part of me tensed.
Will Hastings stared at me from somewhere in the room.
My pulse quickened.
No, I couldn’t let him get away this time. I spun around and scanned the crowd.
He didn’t hesitate, coming closer, and we locked stares.
I searched his eyes for the dark emotion I’d drawn in them and found it. It overwhelmed me, fueled my curiosity even more. It showed me this man would never need my encouragement. He would definitely take what he wanted.
By canting his head, he signaled for me to follow him out the rear exit.
I nodded and watched him go.
“Cover me for a minute, Jess. I’ll just be out back,” I said.
“Are you up to something, Ells?”
“Just need a short break. Text if you need me.”
She bumped her hip against mine and tugged on my apron string as she passed.
“Got it. I owe you fifteen minutes anyway.”
The terrace was packed when I stepped out the back door.
Still, he was easy to find.
Will stood by the brick wall, his arms crossed over his chest.
I pushed my way through the drinking and dancing partiers, staying close to the wall, but I lost sight of him when someone pulled me into the mix. No sooner than I could complain, the guy who snatched my arm let go and backed away, his eyes set on something behind me. Or someone.
Will leaned down close to my ear, so close. His warm breath caused goose bumps to rise on my neck, my arms.
“Turn round here and face me,” he said.
His words held no hint of intonation. He had given a command, and I obeyed, turning to meet his eyes. He rubbed his chin, and one of the sun’s last rays hit his platinum watch.
Butterflies flitted around in my stomach as I waited for him to say something.